Agenda item

The Chairman of the Panel had requested performance monitoring data for children's social care and the Panel had been provided with a data set for 2018/19 Q2.

The agenda item was introduced by the Service Manager for FFD and Partnerships.  In the course of the discussion, the following main points were made:

·       The Family Front Door (FFD) had seen an increase in the number of referrals.  However, the service was continuing to work on the correct application of thresholds to ensure the right referrals for the right children and there had been positive engagement in multi-agency strategy discussions.

·       A number of new permanent managers had been appointed and there had been an improvement in the timeliness and quality of assessments.  80% were now completed within 45 days.  In response to a question about why the number of assessments taking more than 45 days had increased from 13% to 19%, Members were informed that this covered a period which had seen a higher than usual level of staff holiday.

·       In response to a question about the impact of staff starting assessments and then leaving the Council, the Director of Children, Families and Communities reminded the Panel that a stable workforce was key.

·       A Member noted that the FFD had seen the largest number of referrals in July and 75% of these had been signposted to universal services.  He went on to question whether this indicated a problem with over-referral and asked whether training was available for schools to ensure appropriate referrals.  The Service Manager confirmed that analysis of the referrals received had revealed a feeling from schools that, if in doubt, they should refer.  This situation was getting better but she acknowledged that the service still received some inappropriate referrals.  She confirmed that the service was working with the Safeguarding Adviser – Education to build confidence in schools and schools were responding positively to this.

·       It was suggested that year on year figures would be helpful to allow the Panel to identify trends.

·       The Panel was advised that there was a reduction in the number of repeat child protection plans as a result of much clearer social work practice. 

·       It was confirmed that LAC were no longer included on the Child Protection Register.

·       With reference to Children in Need, a question was asked about how the figure of 49 per 10,000 compared with similar authorities.  Although the Service Manager did not have the figures to hand, she agreed to get back to Panel Members following the meeting.

·       The Panel was told that the Authority now employed 3 Missing Children Officers who undertook return interviews and compiled critical data about age groups, hot spots, and push and pull factors.  It was confirmed that the Council did not currently have any cases of young unaccompanied asylum seekers who had gone missing.  The Panel Chairman felt this was very positive and should be seen as real evidence of success.  The Service Manager welcomed the fact that more young people were willing to be engaged and the voice of young people was being heard, suggesting that this could feed in to the edge of care service.

·       It was confirmed that the majority of missing children were not previously known to social care.  If they went missing repeatedly they would be referred to social care.

·       Members were reminded that the figures for missing children also included boys who had become involved in 'County Lines' activity.  The Chairman asked that statistics relating to County Lines split by district council area be provided.

·       With reference to Looked After Children, the service had seen a reduction in the number of very young children being taken into care.

·       The Chairman requested information on the number of repeat section 20 cases in the County (ie cases where a parent requested that a child was looked after by the Local Authority).  The Service Manager agreed to look into this.

·       The Chairman went on to request information on the reasons why children were taken into care, if available.

·       The Panel welcomed the improvement in the number of children attending Looked After Child reviews.  The Service Manager confirmed that this was a key area in the Service Improvement Plan and hoped that capturing the voice of the child would influence practice going forward.

·       With reference to the number of children experiencing 3 or more placements, it was difficult for Panel Members to be clear whether the figures were improving without seeing historic data.  The Director reassured Members that the numbers were improving.

·       A Member reported that she had recently attended a safeguarding fair and had been impressed by the social workers she had met.  The Chairman of the Panel had also been impressed by social workers showing commitment to the Authority and their engagement with young people.  She reminded Members that a young person's relationship with their social worker was often the key to success in future life.